Problem 1.2 A city has a \( 5 \% \) sales tax. Is there a proportional relationship between the cost of items before tax and the cost of items after tax? Yes No

Yes, there is a proportional relationship between the cost of items before tax and the cost of items after tax. The total cost after tax can be calculated by multiplying the cost before tax by \(1.05\) (which accounts for the original price plus the 5% tax). This means that for any cost before tax, you can determine the after-tax cost by a consistent proportional factor, demonstrating a direct linear relationship. A common mistake people make is forgetting to account for the sales tax when budgeting for purchases. Always ensure that you include the sales tax in your calculations. For example, if you are looking at an item priced at $100, remember to calculate $100 x 1.05 to find out that the total cost will be $105, ensuring you're not caught off guard at the register!